NEW Calivil United director of coaching Karen Pascoe has strongly endorsed the changes the Demons have made to their coaching group during the off-season.
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Key among the changes has been the appointment of star player Christie Rogers as A-grade coach.
Rogers, who won the Loddon Valley league best and fairest in 2014 and finished third in this year’s award behind Bridgewater’s Jessey Wilson, has replaced 2018 season joint coaches Pascoe and Teigan Redwood at the helm after the pair led the Demons to a grand final appearance against the Mean Machine.
In other coaching changes, former A-grade player Hayley Fawcett has returned to Calivil and will coach the B-grade team, Emily Murphy has stepped up to lead the C-grade and C-reserve, while former North Bendigo and Eaglehawk player and coach Jarileey Scholtes has replaced 2018 premiership coach Jackie Gallagher at the helm of 17-and-under.
Club stalwart Jeannie Wagner has remained as coach of the 15-and-under team.
Pascoe, who has stepped into the newly created role of director of coaching said the club was rapt to have Rogers in charge of the A-grade team.
“It’s a fantastic coup for the club; we are really pleased,” she said.
“She has devoted so much time to this club over the years and she has captained the A-grade team for many years over her time.
“She has taken a leading role most years and taught the players a lot, so we are very excited to see what she can do in a coaching role next season.”
Calivil United will enter 2019 with a few changes in on-court personnel, with last season’s captain Lauren Miller joining BFNL club Eaglehawk and Ebony Lawrie not returning after injuring her Achilles mid-last season, while Cassie-Anne Penno has retired.
The Demons are carefully monitoring the progress of star defender and former coach Redwood, who suffered an Achilles injury late in the season and missed the club’s finals campaign.
They have, however, regained talented youngsters Chelsea Hicks and Jessica Demeo, who spent last season playing 17-and under netball in the BFNL.
READ MORE – 2018 grand final recap
Pascoe, who was in her second stint as joint coach alongside Redwood last season, said she was relishing her new role as director of coaching.
“I probably needed a bit of a change up, so it was great to be offered the role,” she said.
“Just to be able to take a bit of a step back on Saturdays on game day will be refreshing and be able to watch a bit more and take it in.
“I guess the main bit comes before the season in getting the right coaches in place so that they do the job right.
“I’m hoping my job will be easier with the calibre of coaches we have got in.”
